That moment came when her younger brother, who had issues with poor vision at the time, told her one day that his optometrist was very nice and seemed happy at her job. That prompted Dr. Cole to look further into the profession, which morphed into volunteering at the same practice where her brother was being treated, shadowing the doctor and staff, and eventually even working there. All the while, her appetite for the specialized field continued to grow. The only natural next step for her was optometry school.

Dr. Cole chose Illinois College of Optometry for that adventure. In addition to being diligent with her studies, she amassed quite an array of extracurricular experiences and accolades. That includes going on a mission trip to Mexico with SVOSH (Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), being awarded the David J. Kerko Low Vision Award as a student intern, and being recognized as a standout at the VAMC (Veterans Affairs Medical Center) for outreach to homeless veterans during a fourth-year internship. The VAMC recognition, in particular, led Dr. Cole to a year of residency training at the Lexington VAMC following graduation.

Through that experience, Dr. Cole further realized the significance of how eyesight and overall health are intricately intertwined, making comprehensive examinations that much more imperative.

“It is essential that eye exams are medical and comprehensive,” she said. “Quality of vision is not as simple as being nearsighted or farsighted. The eye is like an equation or a puzzle, and the parts must add up or go together to get the desired result.”

Dr. Cole found the opportunity to fulfill her calling at Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun. It’s here that she’s able to showcase her puzzle-solving inclination alongside a stellar team with advanced technology at her fingertips.

“Working with a multi-specialty ophthalmology group like Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun provides the perfect opportunity to provide high-level care and stay up to date on the latest treatments for ocular diseases,” she said.

Dr. Cole’s philosophy on providing that high-level care for her East Tennessee patients is simple yet very profound.

“I believe you have to treat every patient as an individual and come to an understanding with them to have success in patient care,” she explains. “I also believe in the power of choice and providing multiple avenues to achieve their visual goals when it comes to glasses and contact lenses. Vision is subjective, so understanding how they want to view their world is critical to providing the very best care.”

Through compassionate, knowledgeable care, Dr. Cole strives to provide the best experiences possible for her patients. And she really enjoys when her guidance helps everything click for the person in her exam chair.

“My absolute favorite moment is when they have that “aha moment” after treatment or education where they really understand their ocular health,” she said. “It’s then that they can really do their part to foster better eye health.”

Much of Dr. Cole’s spare time is spent providing a full-time cab service for her daughters, which she is proud to do. Aside from her transportation duties, Dr. Cole enjoys music, playing tennis, hiking in beautiful East Tennessee, and traveling with her family.

Dr. Cole sees patients primarily at our Weisgarber and Hardin Valley offices. Call (865) 584 0905 to schedule your appointment.